Non-Contact Ground Sensing
The red sensor is buried in soil near the pipeline. It does not touch, clamp onto or connect directly to the pipe wall.
Pipeline Pigging Operation Monitoring
Track Cleaning Pigs Across Long-Distance Pipelines
Buried non-contact vibration sensors confirm pig passage at selected checkpoints. Multi-node records help operators estimate route progress, speed and probable position, and identify a possible stop before field teams lose time.
Passage ConfirmationApproach, peak and departure signal trend
Route ProgressSequential records from selected checkpoints
Estimated PositionCalculated from node location, time and speed
Abnormal-Stop AlertTriggered when the next expected node is not reached
Application Focus
Built for real pigging operations, not generic asset monitoring.
The system is used at selected points along long-distance oil and gas pipelines where operators need a reliable time and location reference for a moving cleaning pig.
01
Remote Pipeline SectionsConfirm passage without dispatching personnel to every checkpoint.
02
Road Crossings and High-Risk AreasAdd closer monitoring where route uncertainty or response requirements are higher.
03
Long-Distance Pigging CampaignsCompare sequential detection records to estimate travel progress and arrival time.
Technical boundary: Each GPS position belongs to the fixed monitoring node, not to the cleaning pig. Pig position is estimated from node locations, detection times, signal trends and calculated speed.
How It Works
From a buried signal to an actionable passage record
Passage Pattern Recognition
As the pig approaches, the signal rises; it peaks near the checkpoint and falls after passage.
Time and Location Record
The node stores the signal profile, timestamp, fixed GPS location and device status.
Multi-Node Estimation
The platform compares adjacent records to estimate route progress, speed and expected arrival.
Operational Outputs
The information the operations team actually needs
First Detection TimeWhen the approaching pig becomes identifiable at a checkpoint
Peak / Passing TimeThe strongest signal point used as the local passage reference
Signal TrendWeak → strong → peak → weak passage profile
Estimated SpeedCalculated from passage times between adjacent nodes
Probable PositionEstimated from the latest valid node records, not direct pig GPS
Possible Stop AlarmGenerated when the next expected checkpoint is not reached in time
Flexible Deployment
Monitoring points follow the route and operational risk.
Nodes are installed at selected checkpoints rather than at unrealistically dense intervals. Final spacing depends on terrain, soil, pipeline depth, background vibration, communications and the required tracking resolution.
Suitable where fewer control points are needed across low-population pipeline corridors.
Closer spacing may be used near crossings, stations, construction areas or priority checkpoints.
Possible under suitable site conditions; actual performance requires field assessment and testing.
Supports unattended checkpoints where utility power and fixed communications are unavailable.
Monitoring Platform
See the latest confirmed checkpoint and expected next arrival.
The platform combines node locations, timestamps, signal records and calculated travel data into one operational view.
Node Map & Status
Passage Timeline
Signal Profile
Estimated Speed
Probable Position
Late-Arrival Alert
FAQ
Common questions about pipeline pig tracking
Does the buried sensor touch the pipeline?
No. The vibration sensor is buried in the surrounding soil near the pipeline and does not clamp onto or connect directly to the pipe wall.
Does the GPS position represent the cleaning pig?
No. GPS identifies the fixed monitoring node. The probable pig position is estimated from node locations, passage times, signal trends and calculated speed.
How far apart should monitoring nodes be installed?
Spacing is site-specific. Remote sections may use kilometer-scale spacing, while road crossings, stations, construction areas and other high-risk sections may use several-hundred-meter spacing.
How is a possible pig stop identified?
The platform compares the latest confirmed passage with the expected arrival at the next checkpoint. A delayed or missing passage record can trigger a possible-stop alert for review.
Plan the right monitoring points for your next pigging operation.
Share the pipeline length, expected pig speed, priority checkpoints, terrain, communications coverage and required tracking resolution.